What was once a gritty and industrial building in East London is now a bright and creative <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/eco-office">office space</a> set alongside the River Roding! Fronting Abbey Road in Barking, The Granary, as the name might lead you to believe, was a former granary and malthouse originally built in the 19th Century. Over the years it became derelict until someone came along and had the grand idea to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/green-renovation">renovate</a> it into useful space. The original design came from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/permanent-headquarters-for-the-international-criminial-court-in-the-hague/" target="_blank">Schmidt Hammer Lassen</a> and was completed by <a href="http://www.ptea.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pollard Thomas Edwards</a> this summer. A shiny bronze exterior complements original brick work and the whole thing is topped by a solar system on the roof.

1

London Granary Barking

The Granary is located in the Abbey Road Conservation Area and contains a mix of commercial spaces, a public square, a restaurant and a riverside terrace.

2

London Granary Barking

The mixed-use scheme was designed to be a vibrant hub of cultural and creative activity during both the day and night.

3

London Granary Barking

Public transportation links across the river have also been improved to create greater connectivity.

4

London Granary Barking

Overall the aim was to retain the building's original gritty and industrial character while improving functionality, increasing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/natural-daylighting">daylighting</a> and creating a building that responded to the urban context more fully.

5

London Granary Barking

Original features of the granary were restored, all non-original extensions and partitions were removed and blocked up windows were opened up.

6

London Granary Barking

A new bronze-clad building was erected to the south of the original structure and creates a dynamic alternative to the traditional brick.

7

London Granary Barking

A mock-up conference room to entice firms to take a lease in the renovated building.

8

London Granary Barking

Openings in the old building were added to flood the loft-like spaces with lots of natural daylight and bridges connect the old and the new together.

9

London Granary Barking

While Schmidt Hammer Lassen originally designed the concept, London-based Pollard Thomas Edwards took over the project and completed it

10

London Granary Barking

The resulting <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/green-renovation">renovation</a> is a bright, open commercial space and is even partially run off solar power.

11

London Granary Barking

Original rendering of The Granary by Schmidt Hammer Lassen.

12

London Granary Barking

Original rendering of The Granary by Schmidt Hammer Lassen.

13

London Granary Barking

Original rendering of The Granary by Schmidt Hammer Lassen.

14

1/14

London Granary Barking

What was once a gritty and industrial building in East London is now a bright and creative office space set alongside the River Roding! Fronting Abbey Road in Barking, The Granary, as the name might lead you to believe, was a former granary and malthouse originally built in the 19th Century. Over the years it became derelict until someone came along and had the grand idea to renovate it into useful space. The original design came from Schmidt Hammer Lassen and was completed by Pollard Thomas Edwards this summer. A shiny bronze exterior complements original brick work and the whole thing is topped by a solar system on the roof.